Common Name:

General Information

Phoenix acaulis is a single stemmed, evergreen palm forming a short, subterranean, bulbous stem just 10cm tall covered with persistent leaf bases. A cluster of eaves from 60 - 180cm tall grow up from the stem[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food that is usually only consumed in times of food shortage. It also has local medicinal uses[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - mainly in the sub-Himalayan belt of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and perhaps Myanmar

Habitat

Open forest, scrublands, savannahs and pine forest understorey, often in clay soils; at elevations from 400 - 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a sunny position, succeeding in most soils so long as the drainage is excellent[].
A slow-growing plant[].
Phoenix species are quite liable to hybridize where the various species meet as a result of cultivation[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

The bitter stem pith is sometimes used as a sago substitute. It is generally only eaten in times of shortage when other foods are not available[].

Fruit - a sweet flavour though there is scarcely any flesh[]. The blue-black, obovoid fruit is around 12 - 18mm long and 8mm wide, containing a single large seed[]

Medicinal

Immature-fruit is made in to a fine paste and the paste thus obtained is taken with rice washed water to check vomiting[].

Leaf-juice is mixed in honey and is taken on an empty stomach as a vermifuge[]

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 24 hours prior to sowing[]. The seed germinates best at a temperature of 21 - 27°c[].
Division of offsets[].

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